MLPS, MLC, Comfrey Public School have preliminary discussion
Members of the Pairing Committees from the School Boards of Mountain Lake Public School (MLPS) and Comfrey Public School, along with Michael James, administrator at Mountain Lake Christian (MLC), met in a preliminary discussion at MLPS this evening (Monday, December 5) concerning pairing in spring 2017 in the sports of baseball and softball. MLPS and MLC currently pair as Mountain Lake Area (MLA) in the sports.
Representing the host MLPS School Board were Doug Standerwick, Tim Swoboda and Chad Pedersen, along with MLPS Superintendent Bill Strom. Guests from Comfrey included Andrea Toll and Pete Samuelson, board members and Comfrey Superintendent/Principal Kirsten Hutchison.
In November, Superintendent Strom received a request from Superintendent Hutchison if there was an interest to open dialogue concerning athletic pairing in the two sports between the two schools. Comfrey is currently paired with Cedar Mountain in the two sports, but, between the two school districts, there are not enough numbers to field a baseball team, and perhaps, a softball squad.
The two districts have not yet dissolved that pairing, but the issue will be on the agenda for each school board’s regular December meeting.
Strom shared that, following preliminary discussions with coaches for the sports, the only concern was that if the number of participants would bump the sports up a class. However, based on the numbers between the three schools, it would be possible to maintain a Class A standing in baseball and softball.
While Comfrey has been the host site for the two sports in the district’s pairing with Cedar Mountain, they have no coaches to bring to the agreement with them, as the coaching staff that was used came from their current pairing partner. Strom stressed the advantage of having a teacher from Comfrey that could also serve as a coach, and also, as importantly, a recruiter.
In expressing concerns from Comfrey parents, Samuelson noted the lengthy trips to Ellsworth, Edgerton and Hills-Beaver Creek.
Shawn Naas, Mountain Lake Public High School social studies teacher, head boys basketball coach and assistant softball coach, asked the Comfrey representatives if this opening salvo was about more than just spring sports.
Hutchison responded that if the pairing agreement is dissolved with Cedar Mountain, “that is it,” but, that the school board has not, as of yet, talked about any additional pairing. Toll added that, “We (school board) are taking this as an important decision because it could lead to other agreements. We first paired with Cedar Mountain in football, and then one-by-one, additional sports were added. It’s nice to feel wanted; that people want you.” Toll stated that Comfrey sports an elementary soccer program in which there has been participation by Mountain Lake area children, so “they already have some experience playing together.”
“In my discussions, people are generally positive about this,” inserted Strom. “It is about wanting to give kids the opportunity.”
Hutchison explained that it was the original hope of Cedar Mountain and Comfrey they would eventually both pair with Sleepy Eye Public. Cedar Mountain has now opened channels with Redwood Valley in Redwood Falls, and Comfrey has a meeting slated with Sleepy Eye Public.
Each board will continue discussion at their respective December and/or January meetings.